Haverford, PA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Loafing, loitering or strolling without lawful business
- Places covered
- Streets, alleys, public places, public gatherings, businesses, private property
- Related rule
- Disobeying a lawful police order is separately disorderly (§ 128-3L)
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 plus costs
- Jail on default
- Not more than 90 days
- Enforcement
- Haverford Township Police Department
Summary
In Haverford Township, loafing, loitering or strolling in a street, alley or other public place, at a public gathering, around a store or business, or on private property without lawful business is disorderly conduct. The fine is up to $1,000 plus costs, with up to 90 days in county jail on default.
F. Loafing, loitering or strolling in or upon any street, alley or other public way or public place or at any public gathering or assembly or in or around any store, shop, business or commercial establishment or on any private property or place without lawful business.
Full Breakdown
Section 128-3F of the Haverford Township Code lists loitering as disorderly conduct and an act disturbing the peace: loafing, loitering or strolling in or upon any street, alley or other public way or public place or at any public gathering or assembly or in or around any store, shop, business or commercial establishment or on any private property or place without lawful business. The qualifier at the end, without lawful business, is the element that separates a prohibited loiterer from a shopper, a person waiting for a ride or a neighbor on a walk with a purpose.
The ordinance does not define a time limit for how long a person can stand somewhere. Section 128-2 includes loafing, vagrancy and begging among the conduct that causes or tends to cause a disturbance of the peace and good order of the Township or danger, discomfort or annoyances to inhabitants or users of the Township thoroughfares.
Several neighboring items in § 128-3 reach related behavior. Subsection G prohibits acting in a street, public place, public gathering or business in a noisy, loud, boisterous, unseemly, lewd, lascivious or wanton manner so as to disturb the peace and quiet of the community. Subsection I prohibits wandering abroad and occupying, lodging or sleeping in any vacant or unoccupied barn, garage, shed, shop, house or other building, or in any automobile, truck, railroad car or other vehicle, without owning it or without the owner's permission, or sleeping in any vacant lot during the hours of darkness and not giving a satisfactory account of oneself. Subsection L makes refusing or failing in a prompt, obedient manner to obey any lawful order of any police officer disorderly conduct, so a move-along order has its own enforcement hook.
A private business can also act. The loitering clause covers conduct in or around any store, shop, business or commercial establishment, so a merchant who asks someone without lawful business to leave can call the Haverford Township Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Section 128-4 sets the penalty for the article: summary conviction before a District Justice of the Peace, a fine not exceeding $1,000 and costs of prosecution, and, in default of one payment of the fine and costs, up to 90 days in the county jail. Each and every day in violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is loitering illegal in Haverford Township?
Does the loitering rule cover stores and parking areas?
Can someone be charged for sleeping in a vehicle or vacant lot in Haverford Township?
What is the penalty for loitering in Haverford Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Haverford
Compare Haverford to another location·View the Pennsylvania public conduct overview
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